Monthly Archives: July 2015

Following the ICM 2014, and thanks to the encouragement of the ICWM, a new group of women mathematicians Colectivo de mujeres matemáticas has formed in Chile. It meets regularly to speak about the gender gap and the differences of opportunities faced by women in the region.

The group has delivered talks at several high schools, speaking about what being a mathematician is and also addressing the stereotype that mathematics is a men game. It has also participated in some university events speaking about the gender gap in math and science.

The Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) and the BHP Billiton Foundation have launched Choose Maths, a five-year national program that will turn around public perception of mathematics and statistics as a career choice for girls and young women.

The program will contribute to the health of the mathematics pipeline in Australia from school through university and out to industry and the workplace by:
providing mathematics-ready teacher professional development in 120 schools across Australia and resources for every school in the country;
developing a national mathematical sciences careers awareness campaign;
establishing an “inspiring women in mathematics network”; and
holding annual BHP Billiton awards for excellence in the teaching and learning of mathematics.

Research-based strategies for encouraging girls and young women into mathematics and STEM-related courses will be core to the program. The large-scale careers awareness campaign will be driven by research into community perceptions about mathematics.